My Approach to Helping
We all need a relational-home, a trusted other who can help us grasp our hopes, our fears, and our sense of self through the ups and downs in life.
The therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of psychotherapy. For treatment to be successful, you need a space where you can feel comfortable sharing more of what's happening on the inside with someone you trust, who listens and can help you hold and digest your experience.
You and I can encourage that environment by listening together as you share your thoughts and feelings, your bodily sensations, your current and past relationships, your dreams, your stories, and even the stories within your stories.
I'll bring a style that is warm and unitive, combining psychoanalytic theory, Jungian psychology, philosophy, spirituality, and perspectives on healing from many different cultures and traditions.
It is here in your relational-home, where we can be together, think together, make meaning out of your experiences, and ultimately find opportunities for symptom relief, growth, and healing.
Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With
I'm good at recognizing and addressing the underlying issues that affect our sense of self and our ability to be in nourishing relationships. Such issues may include anger that is suppressed or hard to reach, shame, grief, loss, anxiety, a history of negligent or violent caregivers, volatile households, and an overall struggle to understand and name what's happening inside. Some common ways of dealing with the distress of these underlying issues include overworking, overachieving, and staying busy or turning to coping with substances, food or sex. While these distractions have some benefits in managing the pain they ultimately fail at addressing the underlying cause of adversity.
I work with many highly motivated professionals: architects, attorneys, educators, engineers, musicians, physicians, scientists, social workers, writers - those who are driven to achieve more, are self-reliant, and often struggle with self-defeating thoughts or behaviors. These individuals who have gained success by using their talents or intellect and yet notice that something is still missing find our collaboration very rewarding.
I have a unique ability to help individuals who are dealing with life transitions, men's issues, spiritual development and trauma.
My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy
Depth psychotherapy is a dynamic exploration of your life. Taken with a trusted and skilled guide, this collaborative journey can bring long-lasting relief from suffering and freedom from deeply engrained, self-defeating and unconscious patterns that keep you from being your self in the world and from living a more fulfilling life.
As a result of my training and experience, I have found depth psychotherapy with an analytic, relational and spiritual approach to be the most powerful vehicle for growth and healing.
